Minumum Amount of Watts You Would Use For....

RyanJD · #1 02-20-2013, 11:22 AM

...a small, small gig.
Like coffeehouse style, no mics.

I'm doing some acoustic-type gigs in the near future, and I've been trying to figure out the wattage I would need.
We've got one or two acoustic guitars, a cajon, a keyboard, one or two singers, a bass and no mics.
The only other thing that will be plugged in is the piano, running through some kind of keyboard combo amp, and sometimes we won't even have a piano. (And it's possible sometimes it will just be me, the keys and the cajon.)

So I've been looking at combos recently and I don't know how many watts I need.
Can I pull it off with 30, or do I need more?

I regularly play out of a giant Carvin stack, but I need something more portable!
In addition to wattage recommendations, if you could suggest a combo as well it would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

rpsands · #2 02-20-2013, 11:24 AM

Coffee house gigs don't need much volume, but they often want for lows - which you typically won't get in a small low wattage combo.

I'd suggest a nice small lightweight cab and then whatever amp you want (say, a GK MB200 or something tiny).

RyanJD · #3 02-20-2013, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpsands

Coffee house gigs don't need much volume, but they often want for lows - which you typically won't get in a small low wattage combo.

I'd suggest a nice small lightweight cab and then whatever amp you want (say, a GK MB200 or something tiny).

Cab suggestions?

Whatever I get, it has to be online. Where I live, there's only one music store and they are way overpriced.

DiabolusInMusic · #4 02-20-2013, 11:32 AM

I have an Ashdown LB30 and though it wouldn't cut it on a metal gig I would imagine it would be perfect on a coffee house gig. I am pushing a 3x10 cab with mine though, more speakers = more volume.

RyanJD · #5 02-20-2013, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiabolusInMusic

I have an Ashdown LB30 and though it wouldn't cut it on a metal gig I would imagine it would be perfect on a coffee house gig. I am pushing a 3x10 cab with mine though, more speakers = more volume.

That sounds great.
My budget is not quite that large though.

T-Bird · #6 02-20-2013, 11:41 AM

Hi.

SWR WM10 for me.

Or any other ~80W(ish) 110 combo.

Of course, if money isn't the restriction, there's quite a few micro cabs and amps out there.

People are very funny about the bass on "acoustic" gigs just like rpsands there said, they want to feel it.
Perhaps even more than on an "electric" gig.

IMLE anyway

.

Regards
Sam

RickenBoogie · #7 02-20-2013, 11:43 AM

Wattage is not the best way to determine volume. 200-300 watts is a good baseline to ensure you never need to push an amp too hard. The deciding factor will be the spkr cab. For a coffee house gig, a good 1x12, or 2x10 should be plenty.
A 300 watt head with a 1x12 would be a nice, low volume bass rig. Take that same 300 watt head, and pair it with a 2x15, and you now have a club gig rig. It's all about the spkrs.

DiabolusInMusic · #8 02-20-2013, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyanJD

That sounds great.
My budget is not quite that large though.

Yeah, I got mine at the musicians friend blow out sale. Great amp, but I don't know if I would recommend it so highly at $900.

RyanJD · #9 02-20-2013, 11:46 AM

I'm now regretting selling off my Ampeg PF-350.
:S

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bird

People are very funny about the bass on "acoustic" gigs just like rpsands there said, they want to feel it.
Perhaps even more than on an "electric" gig.

Yeah that makes sense...

jumblemind · #10 02-20-2013, 11:47 AM

I would venture to say 50watts would be minimum. There's a 100w Ampeg B100r combo in the TB classifieds right now that would be perfect. Fantastic tone out of that amp, and they don't make them anymore. EDIT: If you had a PF-350, you would love the B series combos.

If you wanted the head + cab option, I would second the GK MB200 suggestion. There are a couple of those for sale in the TB classifieds, as well. I would go with a 1x12 cab, such as the GK Neo 112-II or even a Hartke Hydrive 112 if you want to keep within a certain budget.

**CL400Peavey** · #11 02-20-2013, 11:47 AM

Ampeg SVT-AV and a SVT 810 AV.

Ok in all seriousness, for me I would take a look at the gear I already have and down size. That would entail a Ampeg PF-500 and a fEARful 12/6/1. I wouldnt go out trying to find a smaller amp just because the volume demand isnt there, I would just use my volume knob.

Toastfuzz · #12 02-20-2013, 11:49 AM

Coffeeshop gig... I'm assuming you're playing with acoustic guitarists?

If I was in this position, I'd run a normal combo like a 1x15 or 2x10, pretty much any amp head out there, but focus on equalizing the highs out and the low-mid to the perfect sweet spot that it sounds good and full without being boomy. Now I'm usually a full-range treble fuzz blasting kind of guy, but playing small coffee shops w/ acoustic guitarists is a whole diff ballgame. I try to make my electric sound as much like a double bass plugged into a subwoofer as I can.

will33 · #13 02-20-2013, 11:49 AM

Anything available used in your area?

In a deal like that, you're going to have the bottom end of the mix pretty much all to yourself and don't need much to be heard. No "noise" to fight through. Could probably do it with a glorified practice combo, say 20-30 watts and a 8" - 12" speaker. From the older Peavey line, something like a Minx 110 or Basic 112.

wcriley · #14 02-20-2013, 11:50 AM

Why do you want another amp?
Just find a small 210 or 112 cab and use the amp you already own.

Bassdirty · #15 02-20-2013, 11:51 AM

I'd say as much wattage as you can afford..

It's the same as Having a car with 450hp, a vault full of money, or a big D!(K ... - you don't have to use the whole thing, but it's there just in case.

JMO?

fenderhutz · #16 02-20-2013, 11:52 AM

TC Electronic BG250 combo. 30lbs ish and rated at 250 watts. You can get them on sale for a little over 300 bucks sometimes. I totally dig this amp because of the weight. I use it for my normal cover gig stuff as well as smaller gigs because it can fill a room with good sounding bass with a very light combo.

will33 · #17 02-20-2013, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CL400Peavey

Ampeg SVT-AV and a SVT 810 AV.

Ok in all seriousness, for me I would take a look at the gear I already have and down size. That would entail a Ampeg PF-500 and a fEARful 12/6/1. I wouldnt go out trying to find a smaller amp just because the volume demand isnt there, I would just use my volume knob.

Or this^^.......any small cabs in your stack? From my stuff, I'd bring the 400rb, a single 12, keep the volume down and just focus on a nice tone.

TRyan5289 · #18 02-20-2013, 12:03 PM

I'd say, plan for needing more. My suggestion is a 700rb with a small cab, possibly a 112, 210, or 115.

Basshappi · #19 02-20-2013, 12:06 PM

You say you have a Carvin amp as your big rig. If you like Carvin they make the 250 watt Micro Bass combos that would serve you quite well and still have the power to do larger rooms if necessary.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/bassamps/microbass.php

Tractorr · #20 02-20-2013, 12:10 PM

If you like Carvin get one of those Carvin combo's. The 1X10 is $300 brand new and weighs 23 lbs. For 50 bucks more you could get a 2X10 or 1X15. Those combos would probably get you through a lot more than just a coffee shop, but the volume knob will make it usable for one.

I am about to start playing with some singer songwriters and I am thinking about getting one just because they are so light.